Orthodox Christianity is a way of life. That means how we live our lives should be noticeably different from those around us who are not Orthodox Christians. Our Orthodox Faith should be showing, even if no one else is looking! This is doubly true when we are at home, where our children are always looking.

V. Rev. Fr. Philip Tolbert explores how Orthodox Christian life is formed first and most powerfully within the family, where parents model faith through prayer, worship, and daily practice. Drawing on the wisdom of the Church Fathers and lived parish tradition, it presents the home as a sacred space shaped by prayer, icons, blessings, and the rhythm of the Church calendar. This reflection invites families to cultivate an intentional Orthodox way of life, helping children encounter the living reality of God through everyday faithfulness at home.

How to sanctify each moment by entrusting our schedules to Christ’s presence and purpose.

Part One: What is Autism?

We have found that college students find their time away at school exhilarating but at the same instance a bit lonely. Many yearn for the church family life and remember their good experiences and friends fondly. However, the longer they are away from home the more foreign their church experiences become. Many times a feeling of disassociation sets in, of no longer ‘belonging’. Our job is to maintain a lifeline for our college students to their parish family.

Our greatest hope is that when one of our children walk into a church far, far away that God is watching over them and that some special person is taking care of them as one of their own. What we sometimes forget is that we may be that special person for someone else’s child far, far from home. The Youth Ministry Program can prepare packages to be given to college students when they visit your parish.

Welcome to the 2021/2023 theme curriculum and resource for the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry! We hope that the materials provided here will aid you in your work with the youth in your parishes and homes. Please contact us with any questions or ideas.

The Dormition Fast is the final fasting season in the Liturgical year. It is one of the four canonical fasting periods of the Orthodox Church year. The duration of the Dormition Fast is always August 1-14th, concluding on the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15th). *For those following the Old Calendar, the fasting days are Aug 14-28th.

As we recognize this significant shift in our liturgical calendar, I wanted to provide resources and ideas in this guide to help guide you and your families. May this be a fruitful season for us all!

This is a guide for those who have never made a loaf of prosphoro before, for those who are trying to figure out why their loaves are not coming out the way they want, and for those who would like to learn more about the science behind prosphora baking

The Dormition Fast is the final fasting season in the Liturgical year. It is one of the four canonical fasting periods of the Orthodox Church year. The duration of the Dormition Fast is always August 1-14th, concluding on the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15th). *For those following the Old Calendar, the fasting days are Aug 14-28th.

The Center for Family Care, a Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, nurtures and empowers families, helping them navigate the joys and challenges of life. Its ministry focuses on equipping families to apply the teachings and practices of the Orthodox faith to every dimension of their lives. This podcast will feature interviews, reflections, book reviews, and narratives that will encourage dialogue and strengthen families.

Activities for the Sundays of Great Lent

While parenting doesn’t end when your child becomes an adult, it DOES change! Whether you are parenting an adult child or you are one yourself, the principles discussed in this series will be helpful to all who listen.

This series includes four brief videos taken from the GOA Center for Family Care's webinar “Doing Life With Adult Children” featuring Jim Burns, president of HomeWord, a non-profit that seeks to strengthen and equip parents, couples, families and leaders.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV) Prepare your heart, and the hearts of your children, by listening to this Sunday’s Gospel. The Gospel is paraphrased for younger children and read for older children, followed by engaging questions to help us think about what we’ve heard. You can download an illustrated copy of each week’s Gospel at www.antiochian.org/christianeducation/letusattend Let Us Attend! Sunday’s Gospel for Children is a production of the Antiochian Orthodox Department of Christian Education, in partnership with Ancient Faith Radio.

At Joy Magazine, we envision offering vibrant and engaging products that serve as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for young Orthodox Christian children. Our goal is that this material will nurture their faith and enrich their understanding of the beautiful traditions and teachings of the Church.